[semeai]

Antrax, on 2011-July-26, 03:20, said:

This is from Robson / Segal, right? I started reading it but I think it's too advanced for me at this stage.

I don't remember where I learned it, but it is in there. There's no need to play that way, just play the "simple" way described above. Ignoring the 'how I'd actually play in active competition' bit from my previous post, here's a general rule with a major suit fit that should serve you well:

Below 3 of our major suit, new suit bids show shape and general location of values. Above 3 of our major suit, new suit bids are cuebids. The former may be interested only in trying for game or choice of game or may be showing shape/values with the intent of later trying for slam. The latter shows slam interest.

I mean this completely generally, i.e. even if you're already in a game force. The only exception would be if you already have specified meanings, for example maybe you play specific rebids after Jacoby 2NT. Even so, notice that showing shortness after Jacoby 2NT ties in with the above philosophy: opener is showing shape below 3 of your major, just by showing shortness instead of length.

[Antrax]

I'm very confused now. Bradley says the sequence 1♥-2♥, 3♣-3♥, 4♥ is a good slam-try auction. You say 4♥ is not an invitation to bid on. How do these sit together?

[wyman]

Antrax, on 2011-July-26, 08:52, said:

I'm very confused now. Bradley says the sequence 1♥-2♥, 3♣-3♥, 4♥ is a good slam-try auction. You say 4♥ is not an invitation to bid on. How do these sit together?

Sorry. Without prior discussion, most people, especially B/I, will play that the auction quoted is a slam try.

However, Fred's point is that (by his agreements) while partner may have been trying to probe your hand for slam reasons, he also may not have been! So you are not free to bid on over 4H, and bidding 4H over 3 does not necessarily promise a slam-going hand.

edit: if opener wants more info from responder about whether slam is in the picture, he can bid 3S/4C/4D over 3 (in Fred's auction)

[semeai]

Antrax, on 2011-July-26, 08:52, said:

I'm very confused now. Bradley says the sequence 1♥-2♥, 3♣-3♥, 4♥ is a good slam-try auction. You say 4♥ is not an invitation to bid on. How do these sit together?

I can't say for sure what Bradley was thinking, but:

I think Bradley was just saying that this is a possible sequence when opener has a slam try, not that it guarantees a slam try, and that often responder doesn't need to know whether it was a game try or a slam try. Responder declined what he thought was a game try. Opener, who actually had a slam try (or something else), was content to stop in 4♥ given that.

[karlson]

You're really making a mountain out of a molehill here by trying to work out whether 4♥ should be a slam try on these various sequences.

After, for instance, 1♥-(1♠)-2♠-3♣-3♥, if opener still has slam interest, there are at least 3 other bids below 4♥ which show that.